Director of Operations

Badger Meter - Where Every Drop Counts and So Do You

At Badger Meter, we're more than a leading global water technology company - we're innovators with a mission: to preserve and protect the world's most precious resource. For over 120 years, our trusted solutions have enabled our customers to optimize the delivery and use of water, maximize revenue and reduce waste.

Every employee at Badger Meter is an important part of our success. Here, your work doesn't just move a business forward - it shapes a more sustainable future. We are committed to building a workplace where we celebrate differences, empower voices, and encourage fresh ideas that drive innovation.

When you join us, you'll find:

- Purpose-driven work that makes a real difference in communities around the globe.

- Career growth and development opportunities designed to help you achieve your potential.

- A supportive, inclusive culture where collaboration and creativity thrive.

Be part of something bigger. At Badger Meter, your contributions will ripple far beyond the workplace - creating lasting change for people and the planet.

What You Will Contribute:

The Director of Operations will provide both tactical leadership and strategic direction for Badger Meter’s Milwaukee manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence, ensuring customer satisfaction, and fostering a culture of engagement and continuous improvement. You will oversee all aspects of manufacturing and facility operations while aligning organizational goals with business strategy.

Key Responsibilities

- Operational Leadership: Deliver on the company’s business strategy through efficient operation of production facilities, ensuring on-time delivery of high-quality products with a strong customer focus.

- Culture & Engagement: Champion a collaborative, inclusive environment guided by Badger Meter values, where employees thrive and contribute at their highest potential.

- Team Development: Build, mentor, and empower a diverse management team that drives engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.

- Performance & Improvement: Develop and implement improvement initiatives across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Culture, and Environment (SQDCCE) to enhance manufacturing effectiveness.

- Process Optimization: Deploy customer-centric manufacturing improvements, standardized process controls, and sustainability initiatives aligned with the Quality Management System (QMS).

- Strategic Planning: Participate in make-buy analysis and strategic sourcing decisions, including capital investment evaluations.

- Financial Accountability: Achieve business objectives supporting expense plans and margin expansion.

- Innovation Support: Collaborate on New Product Development (NPD) and product launches.

- Operational Excellence: Lead and embed OpEx principles across all departments, driving continuous improvement and quality enhancement.

- Performance Management: Set SMART goals and manage direct reports through active performance reviews and metrics based on SQDCCE.

Education & Experience

- Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Business, or Engineering required; Master’s degree strongly preferred.

- 10+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment required.

- Multi-site experience strongly desired.

- Global operations experience preferred.

Qualifications

- Continuous Improvement certification preferred; Six Sigma Green Belt a plus.

- Proven ability to design and execute strategic processes.

- Expertise in lean manufacturing, operational excellence, supply chain management, and manufacturing systems (MES).

- Strong leadership skills with ability to influence cross-functional teams.

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Workday preferred.

Core Competencies

- Driving Execution: Translating strategy into measurable results.

- Strategic Direction: Setting long-term goals based on market and organizational insights.

- Operational Decision Making: Making informed decisions using multiple data sources.

- Inspiring Excellence: Setting high standards and fostering continuous improvement.

- Leading Teams: Motivating and guiding teams to achieve business objectives.

#SP123

Competitive Total Rewards at Badger Meter:

- Competitive Pay

- Annual Bonus

- Eligible for Annual Pay Increases

- Comprehensive Health, Vision, and Dental Coverage

- 15 days Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays

- Two Ways to Save for Retirement: Badger Meter contributes 25 cents for every dollar you contribute to the plan, up to 7% of your eligible compensation. In addition to the match, the company will also contribute 5% of your eligible compensation to your Defined Contribution account on an annual basis. Additional access to a certified financial planner to help ensure your money is working for you, at no cost!

- Employer Paid benefits including: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Basic Group Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, and more

- Educational Assistance – Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250

- Voluntary benefits including : Additional Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Accident and Critical Illness coverage

- Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. This company considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Applicants can learn more about their rights regarding equal opportunity in employment by viewing the federal "EEO is the Law" poster and the “EEO is the Law” poster supplement at http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm

Badger Meter complies with all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable state or local disability laws. This means that we will reasonably accommodate qualified employees with a disability if accommodation would allow them to perform the essential functions of their job, unless doing so would create an undue hardship.

Privacy Statement

The Employee and Applicant Privacy Statement describes how we collect, use, share, retain, and safeguard applicant information. Please see the privacy statement on our website here .